Is Ezzard Charles the P4P GOAT ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Claw4075, Oct 15, 2021.


Page 1 of 2
  1. Claw4075

    Claw4075 Ezzard Charles GOAT Full Member

    338
    322
    Aug 27, 2021
    I am now convinced that this man was the greatest fighter who had ever lived P4P. His resume is ****ing insane, with wins over Burley, Moore, Walcott, Louis, Elmer Ray, Joe Maxim, Jimmy Bivins, Lloyd Marshall, and so many effing more. I really can't think of any fighter having a level of opposition this high.

    It's crazy how absurdly underrated he is and his legacy is often recalled only due to the Marciano fights. Most people however don't know that by this time, Charles was already showing signs of ALS and had lost his killer instinct due to killing boxer Sam Baroudi in the ring. But still, he went and fought an absolutely brutal war with Marciano and managed to split his nose.

    Most of his boxing techniques are studied by guys like James Toney amongst others, and Lennox Lewis utilised his circling towards the left technique to knock out Rahman.

    His amateur career is also absolutely insane, with multiple Golden Glove wins. Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran and Harry Greb in my personal opinion lacked wins over such notable opponents like the ones in Charles' resume. Plus, he looked very good in film similar to Ray Robinson and Duran, except that he's displaying his skills over much more talented opponents.

    Some people also tend to overlook him due to his final losses as a result of ALS, that would later cripple him and make him wheelchair bound. What happened to him at the end was really sad to see.

    IMO, the man should be ranked #1 P4P and #2 All Time at any weight class, second to only Muhammad Ali. This guy was an absolute
    This content is protected
    amongst men and should really be appreciated more.
     
    Claw4075, Oct 15, 2021
    Claw4075, Oct 15, 2021
    #1
    Flo_Raiden, Stevie G, swagdelfadeel and 6 others like this.
  2. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

    7,901
    9,151
    Apr 9, 2020
    I know a guy who thinks so.
     
    William Walker, Oct 15, 2021
    William Walker, Oct 15, 2021
    #2
    TipNom, swagdelfadeel, George Crowcroft and 2 others like this.
  3. richdanahuff

    richdanahuff Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,489
    13,037
    Oct 12, 2013
    A case can be made and I have read many an opinion that is the same as yours
     
    richdanahuff, Oct 15, 2021
    richdanahuff, Oct 15, 2021
    #3
    Bronze Tiger and Tonto62 like this.
  4. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

    1,086
    1,347
    Nov 27, 2010
    No not IMO, he's in the conversation for sure though.
     
    SwarmingSlugger, Oct 16, 2021
    SwarmingSlugger, Oct 16, 2021
    #4
    Bronze Tiger likes this.
  5. Tonto62

    Tonto62 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

    5,040
    4,974
    Mar 26, 2011
    He is legitimately in the mix.
    ps.The nose split was via an elbow.
     
    Tonto62, Oct 16, 2021
    Tonto62, Oct 16, 2021
    #5
    Bronze Tiger and mr. magoo like this.
  6. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King

    10,596
    18,173
    Jan 6, 2017
    Charles career is even crazier when you consider he was a 135 pounder in the amateurs and went on to to become a heavyweight champion. This would be like if Pacquiao moved all the way up to cruiserweight and beat Usyk.
     
    Glass City Cobra, Oct 16, 2021
    Glass City Cobra, Oct 16, 2021
    #6
    Pedro_El_Chef, TipNom, George Crowcroft and 3 others like this.
  7. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

    51,115
    25,280
    Jan 3, 2007
    I think he has a very strong case. His winning streak from 1944-1950 was among one of the greatest if not THEE greatest of all time. I myself don’t give the title of #1 p4p to anyone but he’s definitely in that upper circle of greats.
     
    mr. magoo, Oct 16, 2021
    mr. magoo, Oct 16, 2021
    #7
    Pedro_El_Chef and Bronze Tiger like this.
  8. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

    27,131
    44,901
    Mar 3, 2019
    Yeah, me too man.
     
    George Crowcroft, Oct 16, 2021
    George Crowcroft, Oct 16, 2021
    #8
    TipNom, 70sFan865 and William Walker like this.
  9. White Bomber

    White Bomber Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,456
    2,973
    Mar 31, 2021
    He's not underrated at all, he's top 10 all time p4p, where he belongs.
    But he ain't GOAT. Nobody touches SRR !!! ****in' NOBODY !!!
     
    White Bomber, Oct 16, 2021
    White Bomber, Oct 16, 2021
    #9
  10. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

    10,206
    19,486
    Jul 25, 2015
    He wasn't as good as Primo. That's just a simple fact.
     
    roughdiamond, Oct 16, 2021
    roughdiamond, Oct 16, 2021
    #10
    TipNom, 70sFan865, BitPlayerVesti and 2 others like this.
  11. Bah Lance

    Bah Lance Active Member banned Full Member

    1,089
    1,362
    Apr 29, 2019
    Charles was 14 years old when he competed at 135. He was a kid at that size, not a fully grown man.

    He turned pro at 160 lbs at only 18. And was 185 lbs at 29 when he beat Louis. I don't think his weight jumping was so dramatic. He just boxed his whole life from a very young age.

    I think his achievements are amazing but some realistic perspective.
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2021
    Bah Lance, Oct 16, 2021
    Bah Lance, Oct 16, 2021
    #11
    Entaowed likes this.
  12. Minotauro

    Minotauro Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,628
    712
    May 22, 2007
    He's right up there, amazing resume alongside Langford and Greb the best resume in the sport. I have him at 5 personally.
     
    Minotauro, Oct 16, 2021
    Minotauro, Oct 16, 2021
    #12
    TipNom likes this.
  13. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

    7,901
    9,151
    Apr 9, 2020
    Me too? You're the one in talking about :risas3:.
     
    William Walker, Oct 16, 2021
    William Walker, Oct 16, 2021
    #13
    TipNom, 70sFan865 and George Crowcroft like this.
  14. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

    53,088
    6,685
    Sep 8, 2010
    In most everybodys top 10 ATG list. Which is hard to do hard to get on half of peoples list there.
     
    Nonito Smoak, Oct 16, 2021
    Nonito Smoak, Oct 16, 2021
    #14
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  15. thistle

    thistle Boxing Addict Full Member

    7,373
    7,897
    Dec 21, 2016
    NO it wouldn't, SIZE is the forgotten factor among all these modern day conversations with respect to greats or not!

    Charles though IS GREAT and is certain a consideration for Greatest, but comparing the example you give isn't an accurate comparison, Pacman, because of SIZE at best couldn't swim beyond Welterweight, the SIZE disparity would be far too much and Pacquiao himself wouldn't even dream of such BIGGER Divisions.

    But Charles, Yes he get's my Vote as ONE of THEE Absolute ELITE. My 3 Faves for such honours are JJW, Charles and Lloyd Marshall, Beautiful Boxers & Stylists.
     
    thistle, Oct 16, 2021
    thistle, Oct 16, 2021
    #15
Page 1 of 2